University of California unions sue Trump administration, citing coercion

(FOX40.COM) — Teamsters Local 2010 joined a coalition of every union representing workers at the University of California to file a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, citing illegal and coercive use of frivolous lawsuits to attack the UC system and threaten the jobs and rights of staff and students.
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The UC is reportedly the second-largest employer in California.

“Teamsters Local 2010 will always fight to defend the jobs and rights of our members – and  all working people,” said Jason Rabinowitz, Teamsters Local 2010 Secretary-Treasurer. “The Trump Administration’s extortionate lawsuit and multimillion-dollar funding cuts threaten every one of the 20,000 Teamsters working at the University of California.”

Rabinowitz added, “The Administration’s attempt to limit free speech on campus threatens our fundamental rights as workers to picket, strike, rally, and join together in a union. Through this lawsuit, we unite with our sister unions to stand up for public higher education and the workers who make it work every day.” 

Teamsters Local 2010 represents 25,000 workers in California education, including more than 20,000 administrative, clerical, skilled trades, and related occupations at the UC. It’s also affiliated with the 1.3 million members of the International Brotherhood of  Teamsters across the United States and Canada.

The unions accuse the Trump Administration of slashing federal funding to the University of California, resulting in layoffs and hiring freezes, threatening the jobs of Teamsters members, and harming the critical medical and scientific research that Teamsters 2010 members support.

In settlement discussions, the unions also accuse Trump’s administration of seeking to take payments of $1.2 billion from the University, which, if successful, would threaten the jobs and livelihood of all Teamsters members. Additionally, the Trump Administration has sought to make the  University impose limitations on free speech and expressive activity on campuses, according to the unions. 

Teamsters said, “Our Union will fight to protect our jobs, our pay and benefits, and our Constitutionally protected free speech rights from all attacks on workers’ rights.”